Ferris, TX — At 2:40 AM on March 23, 2025, officers with the Ferris Department of Public Safety and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call placed by a male subject claiming that people were trying to kill him and that his entire family had already been murdered. Upon arrival at a residence in the 800 block of East 8th Street, officers discovered that the caller himself, later identified as 47-year-old Homero Salinas, was the source of the threat.
Salinas, who resides in a rear dwelling on the same property, had fired approximately 30 rounds, including multiple shots into the front residence where his family lived. Under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, he was experiencing hallucinations and acted on the delusional belief that he was under attack and that his family had been killed.
His family, unaware that he was the one who made the 911 call or discharged the weapon, was found hiding on the floor inside their home, unharmed. After the shooting, Salinas left the property and was seen walking down East 8th Street. He claimed to be wearing a ballistic vest, though it was later confirmed that he was not.
Responding agencies, including the Ferris Department of Public Safety, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, and Wilmer Police Department, made contact with Salinas, who was taken into custody without further incident. Multiple firearms and ammunition were recovered. All family members were found safe, and damage was limited to the suspect’s own property.
Through fingerprint identification, AFIS confirmed that Salinas is a citizen of Mexico and does not possess lawful immigration status in the United States. Further investigation revealed that Salinas had previously been handled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in 2013, at which time a detainer had been placed on him.
City Manager Brooks Williams stated, “The fact that no lives were lost in this incident is a testament to the skill and discipline of our first responders. This morning, we are thanking God no one was injured and for His favor over all the officers involved. But we cannot ignore what this situation reveals, someone without legal status, previously flagged by ICE, was still here and still able to access deadly weapons. That’s not just a local issue it’s a systemic failure.”
Williams continued, “This should be a wake-up call. All the officers and deputies acted with courage and clarity, preventing what could have easily become a tragedy involving innocent lives. We are committed to seeking full accountability and ensuring the safety of our residents.”
Deputy City Manager for Public Safety John DeLeon echoed the concern, adding, “We are a nation of laws. When someone who has already had a detainer placed by ICE is able to remain in the country, acquire firearms, and walk freely into a neighborhood with a gun, that’s a failure of enforcement. This has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with protecting people.”
DeLeon praised the response of Ferris officers, stating, “Our officers and the deputies ran toward danger when others would have run away. That kind of bravery is too often overlooked. Their quick action ensured that lives were protected, and that this community was spared a devastating outcome.”
This incident represents a dangerous convergence of substance abuse, mental instability, unauthorized presence in the country, and access to firearms. Every aspect of the case will be fully investigated in coordination with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and federal authorities.
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